The RoundHouse | 7/28/2023 3:58:00 PM

 By Paul Suellentrop
 
To all the new thrown at the Shockers this summer, throw in a new essential tool to their game.
 
When practices started for Wichita State's exhibition trip to Greece, the Shockers started using Molten FIBA basketballs, as they will overseas. It is the ball center Kenny Pohto grew up playing with in Sweden.
 
Even he needs time to adjust.
 
"We started off practices and they were really slippery," he said. "First two layups, airballs, they slipped out of our hands. But we got used to them."
 
The FIBA balls look different – with a cream-colored stripe – with a similar size and weight. The FIBA basketball is divided into 12 panels, four more than the NCAA-approved Wilson basketballs used by Wichita State.
 
"These balls are a little weird to get adjusted to," guard Xavier Bell said. "Slightly more heavy and maybe a tad more slick. It's challenging whenever your hands get a little sweaty or the ball gets wet."
 
The Shockers leave next week for Greece, where they open the trip against the Thessaloniki All-Stars on Friday. They scrimmaged Wednesday, with referees, as coach Paul Mills continues gathering information and video about his new team.
 
"These practices are hard, probably the hardest practices I've been through in my life," forward Isaac Abidde said. "We're getting better and it's still fun at the same time."
 
Daily statistics on their offensive and defensive output is part of the routine.
 
"We've become much more familiar with what's going on," Mills said. "You don't want paralysis by analysis, but you do want them to walk away saying 'Am I adding value?' Here's what you're doing offensive, from a points-per-possession contribution, and here's what you're doing defensively."
 
The three games in Greece will give the Shockers more information about how they fit into Mills' high-scoring preferred style, one that emphasizes three-point shooting and spacing.
 
"We're trying to encourage these guys that even if they're taking good shots, and they're not going in, we know that will translate," he said. "We're trying to get all of these guys to understand shot selection."
 
Wichita State expects games that are more physical than in college with a wider lane and important rules differences, such swatting or tapping the ball while on the rim is allowed and live-ball timeout are not allowed.
 
Pohto, the most experienced of the Shocker returners, is shooting well and serving as a ball-handler and passer from the high post. Mills has also been impressed with Abidde's rebounding and Colby Rogers' shooting.
 
Starting next week, the Shockers will see how all those elements start to blend.
 
"I want to find out about our team chemistry," Pohto said. "See how we play together and what groups go well together."
 
Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.